PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Hazan Ali (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mr Funktastic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ali's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, LL Cool J - Mama' Said Knock You Out. Mr Funktastic told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Ali
vs
Funktastic

183 cm
23
183 lbs
22 - 4 - 0

180 cm
25
180 lbs
13 - 11 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 22 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Hazan Ali!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 11 - 1, fighting out of London, Mr Funktastic!
The judges for this bout are Sam Margolis, Steven Brown and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ali throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Ali throws a hook to the side of Funktastic's head but Funktastic sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Funktastic slips under a jab from Ali.
Ali throws a shot from downtown. Funktastic moves away and avoids it.
Hazan Ali seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ali misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Funktastic.
Ali throws the left hand but Funktastic avoids the punch easily.
Ali fails to land with a series of punches.

Funktastic has taken the fight to the clinch.

Funktastic has clasped his hands together around Ali's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Funktastic trying to control the action but Ali is working from the bottom.
Sloppy strikes there by Funktastic.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Funktastic is looking to take a break and control but Ali is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Funktastic is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Ali knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Funktastic is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Ali has escaped the position, nice work there.
Ali is looking for a sweep.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Funktastic passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Ali!
Funktastic throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Ali is squirming around, avoiding Funktastic's attempts to control the action.

Ali defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Funktastic.

Funktastic looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Ali wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Funktastic.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ali is trying to escape the mount.
Funktastic throwing strikes but Ali bucks up and reverses the position. He's now in guard on top.
Funktastic tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Funktastic throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Funktastic working a defensive guard here.
Funktastic avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Funktastic looking to control.
Ali looking to sit in guard and control but Funktastic gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Funktastic tries to free his leg and advance position but Ali is retaining full guard.

Funktastic postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Ali is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Funktastic, into his guard.
Funktastic is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Funktastic preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mr Funktastic dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Funktastic keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Ali connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Funktastic shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Ali as he avoids it easily.
Ali takes a swing at Funktastic's ribcage but misses.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
Funktastic shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Ali but Ali pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Nice sprawl there from Ali as Funktastic shoots in.
Hazan Ali has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mr Funktastic.
Ali throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Funktastic closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Ali quickly recovers to half guard.
Funktastic wants to free his trapped foot but Ali is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Funktastic has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Ali bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Funktastic manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Ali manages to get himself to full guard.
Funktastic trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Funktastic's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Funktastic trying to control but Ali is working from the bottom.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

Funktastic is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Ali is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Ali has escaped and now he's on top!
Mr Funktastic has got the better of the ground game so far.

Funktastic has an active guard here but Ali has managed to pass into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Funktastic regains full guard. Nicely done.
Ali is in close to Funktastic's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Ali showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Ali throwing strikes but missing.
Ali trying to control but Funktastic is working from the bottom.
Funktastic is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ali loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Ali wants to control from the top but Funktastic keeps moving.
Ali has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Ali scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Ali trying to control but Funktastic is working from the bottom.
Funktastic looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ali throwing strikes but missing.
Funktastic looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Mr Funktastic will probably get the nod - 10:9.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Funktastic misses with a straight left.
Ali throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Funktastic scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Ali throws an off balance right hand
and Funktastic counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Ali thinking.
Ali ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Ali swings for the body but Funktastic moves out of range.
A cross from Ali lands.
A telegraphed right hand from Ali misses the target.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ali clinches with his opponent.
Funktastic blocking some punches.
Ali misses with a hook to the ribs.
Funktastic tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Ali is trying to maintain a safe position but Funktastic gets an underhook and turns Ali into the cage.
Funktastic blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A short left from Funktastic.
Funktastic digs a right hand into Ali's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Ali's gas tank.
Ali misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Funktastic.
Ali is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Funktastic is keeping busy.
Funktastic is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Ali gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ali misses with a punch on the inside.
A head punch on the inside from Ali fails to land.
Funktastic can't find room to land a body shot as Ali controls the action.
Ali lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Funktastic can't find room to land a body shot as Ali controls the action.
Funktastic takes an elbow to the temple.
Ali dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Funktastic is working Ali over against the cage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ali misses with a hook to the ribs.
Funktastic blocks the elbow strike.
Funktastic scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Ali throws a punch but it's blocked by Funktastic.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Funktastic misses with a punch on the inside.
Ali is pressed up against the cage. Funktastic has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Ali down to the mat. Ali avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Funktastic checks the leg kick.
Ali scores with a jab.
Funktastic throws an overhand right that lands on Ali's shoulder, as Ali tries to avoid the shot.
Ali throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Funktastic fails to land the takedown.
Hazan Ali has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mr Funktastic.
Ali throws a combination that misses
and Funktastic counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ali misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Funktastic.
Funktastic swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Funktastic throws a looping overhand right but Ali ducks down to avoid it.
Ali scores with a decent looking hook.
Funktastic misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ali.
Ali throws a head kick that misses.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ali throws the kick towards the body but Funktastic avoids it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hazan Ali clearly takes that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

The fighters circling - Ali throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Funktastic shoots in looking for a takedown but Ali manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Funktastic's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Funktastic scores with a crisp jab that stopped Ali in his tracks.
Funktastic misses with a shot to the body
and Ali counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Ali thows a body shot but no joy.
Ali lands with an uppercut that bounces Funktastic off the cage and back into rage.

Funktastic is rocked!
Ali stuffs the takedown.
Ali doesn't manage to clinch there - Funktastic circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ali misses with a wild body shot.
Funktastic throws a right and a left that both miss.
Hazan Ali is winning the standup battle so far.
Funktastic lands with a right hand.
Ali tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A telegraphed right hand from Funktastic misses the target.
Ali takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
No luck for Funktastic with that takedown attempt.
Hazan Ali has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mr Funktastic.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Funktastic ducks under a wild hook from Ali.
Ali lands a nice shot that snaps Funktastic's head back.
Hazan Ali is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A looping hook to the body misses from Funktastic. Ali does a little dance to reset his feet.
Ali takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Funktastic wants to clinch.
Funktastic thuds his right hand into Ali's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ali takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Funktastic fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Ali checks it well.
Ali slips under a jab from Funktastic.
Ali fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Funktastic rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Ali moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ali throws a big shot that misses.
Ali avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Funktastic throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Ali sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Funktastic bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Funktastic throws a low kick, looking for Ali's leg but Ali calmly moves out of range.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ali wants to clinch up but Funktastic keeps it at a distance.
Funktastic tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Ali manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Hazan Ali will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Funktastic scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Ali throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Ali throws a right hand that misses
and Funktastic makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Ali throws a shot from downtown. Funktastic moves away and avoids it.
Ali attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Funktastic scores with a crisp jab that stopped Ali in his tracks.
Funktastic shoots in for a takedown but Ali shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Funktastic has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Ali finds it's way round the side to connect with Funktastic's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ali throws a leg kick that misses.
Ali throws a right hand that misses

and Funktastic decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Ali's guard.
Ali is trying to keep Funktastic in close.
Funktastic forces his way into half guard.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Funktastic tries to pass the half guard into mount. Ali knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Funktastic wants to control but Ali is keeping him busy.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Funktastic sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Ali defending well though.
Funktastic works his foot free and advances to mount.
Funktastic throwing strikes here but Ali is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ali has given up his back. Will we see Funktastic going for some submissions?
Funktastic doesn't have the hooks in and Ali manages to turn into his guard.
Funktastic bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Ali's guard.
Ali keeping moving, preventing Funktastic from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ali trying to control the position.

Funktastic gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Funktastic fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Ali lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Funktastic is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Funktastic shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Ali but Ali pushes him off and we're back to square one.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ali darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
An inside leg kick from Funktastic misses.
Funktastic looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Ali is fending him off so far but Funktastic persists. Nope, Ali circles away and we're back to standing.
Hazan Ali has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mr Funktastic.
Ali scoring well with a low kick there.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Funktastic throws an off balance right hand
and Ali counters with a right hand to the body.
Funktastic fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Ali avoids it really well and circles away.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mr Funktastic comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Funktastic has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.

Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight for Mr Funktastic!
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight for Mr Funktastic!
Judge William Gold scores the fight for Mr Funktastic!

Mr Funktastic wins by unanimous decision!